Couple who were so overweight they broke a bed lose combined 178kg

They weighed so much that a bed couldn’t hold them - collapsing while they slept in their hotel room - but Debora and Fernando Mendaolli’s transformation since that embarrassing incident has been incredible.

The husband and wife from São Paulo, Brazil were shamed into paying for a king size bed to replace the one they broke. The episode spurred them on to lose a whopping 178kg between them.

The couple initially planned weight loss surgery, but Debora, who was classed as “super morbidly obese” was terrified of dying on the operating table.

Fernando had been on the waiting list for surgery for seven years, but cancelled when he became worried about his wife, who was suffering from depression and could barely walk because of her weight.

The mother-of-four said: “Fernando was scared he would lose me if he slimmed down before I did.

“But at the time he didn't tell me the real reason why he'd cancelled his operation. He came home from the doctor and started to cry his heart out and said he was scared to death about doing it [without me].”

Eventually Deborah, who weighed 170kg and wore a dress size 44, went through with the operation. The weight began to drop off, and her husband followed in her footsteps.

Caters News Agency

Fernando, 31, said: “I was desperate to lose weight. I'd dreamed of doing the surgery for years. I put my name down for the free gastric band operation when I was 17.

“But when the time came, seven years later, I realised I couldn't do it. I pretended I was terrified of going under the knife when in fact I was really scared about losing my wife. I could see Debora was very ill.

“I knew I couldn't be selfish and slim down on my own as this would destroy her. I decided to postpone my plans and promised myself I would only do the operation after she did.”

He has now lost an incredible 70kg, and the couple, who admit they only have themselves to blame for their previous obesity, follow a healthy diet.

Deborah and Fernando after their weight loss/Caters News Agency

Deborah, 36, says she started to gain weight when she fell pregnant, while Fernando says he has been overweight since he was a child.

Now, the mum runs a party snack food delivery service and credits her husband with saving her life.

She says: “A lot has changed since we did the surgery, our habits, our moods and attitude towards food. We're not tempted to overeat anymore.

“The surgery has given us a new lease of life. And it was incredible to lose weight together and gain our health together.”